Hundreds turn out for Greek Festival in Fitchburg

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FITCHBURG -- As the Rev. Paul Bebis will tell you, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the community surrounding it have seen a lot of changes over the decades.

"Years ago, this church used to be packed, and we don't see that as much anymore. The economic times in a lot of these cities in New England have hurt. A lot of jobs have gone missing and a lot of young people aren't here. A lot has changed," he said.

However, Bebis will also point out that one constant over all this time has been the church's annual Greek Festival, a tradition that draws hundreds, and sometimes thousands, to the tents set up on Main Street every September.

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As event organizer Greg Belleza explained, the festival draws crowds with offerings of Greek foods, traditional floga dancers, and live music, all of which help collect the donations needed to keep the church open.

"It's our major fundraiser. Without this, we don't keep the doors open," Belleza said during Saturday's festival. "We have Greeks who are coming all the way from Boston and New Hampshire. I think the furthest one came all the way from Florida for the festival."

Bebis added that it's almost shocking to see how community members have got preparing the event "down to a science" over the roughly 40 years it's been held.

"This week has been so busy with the preparation and we've seen so many people, all different ages, all walks of life who came and they did it," said Bebis.

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"It's a lot of work, but they have it down pat. They're systematic."

Though Fitchburg has maintained its Greek Community, the city's fluctuating population has let the event grow to the point that it is shared by people of all backgrounds.

Though she is not Greek, nor a member of Holy Trinity, Fitchburg resident Marsha Prendergast said she's been coming to the festival every September for the last four years.

"It's a very close-knit group of people. I know a few Greek people and I've been able to get a feel for the sense of togetherness they have and what that's all about. And I love their food," she said.

Her husband, Vinny, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, has also been a regular festival attendee over the last few years.

"Everybody in Fitchburg looks forward to this festival. It's like Christmas," he said. "I love how they close the street and you get to see this different view of the world."

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